The family of a man shot and killed by a Seattle police officer outside the Southwest Precinct last year is seeking $30 million from the city.
The family of a man shot and killed by a Seattle police officer outside the Southwest Precinct last year is seeking $30 million from the city, alleging officers mishandled a mental health crisis and used excessive force.
Attorneys Mark Lindquist and Angus Lee filed the claim against the city of Seattle over the March 19, 2025, death of Andrew Seay. The claim alleges Seattle police were negligent, used excessive force, and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, among other state and federal claims.
The shooting happened just before 12:30 p.m. in a restricted parking area behind the Southwest Precinct on Webster Street in West Seattle.
Seattle police later released body-camera video showing the confrontation.
Police said at the time that Seay was armed with a knife and that several officers initially tried to de-escalate the situation. An officer also used a 40 mm less-lethal launcher that fires sponge rounds, but it did not stop Seay.
Now former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said one officer then fired his gun. Seay died in the parking lot.
The newly filed claim provides additional details about what attorneys say happened before the shooting.
According to the claim, Seay's wife called for help after receiving a message indicating her husband was in mental distress. Police dispatchers broadcast a priority suicide call reporting Seay was near the Home Depot next to the Southwest Precinct parking lot.
Sorry, we couldn't load this embedded content
The claim says officers spotted Seay in the police parking lot and directed him to leave. He would follow directions, but then turn and wander, and one officer remarked that Seay “might be a little off.”
The attorneys allege officers had opportunities to maintain their distance, use patrol vehicles and other structures for cover, and continue de-escalation. Several officers were at the scene, including at least one with a Taser and another with the 40 mm launcher.
According to the claim, Seay pulled out a folding pocketknife while moving around the parking lot. He moved toward officers before stepping back and away as officers ordered him to drop the knife.
The claim says a supervisor eventually directed an officer to use the 40 mm launcher. About seven seconds passed before it was fired.
Seay began jogging away from the officer with the launcher, putting him in the direction of Officer Kyle Hay, according to the claim. At about the same time the less-lethal round was fired, Hay fired four rounds from his handgun. The claim says Hay was the only officer who fired his gun.
The attorneys allege Seay was about 35 feet from Hay when he was shot and did not present the immediate threat necessary to justify deadly force under Washington law or Seattle Police Department policies.
“Mr. Seay's death could have been prevented if officers had used a Taser, or used the less lethal launcher without delay, or followed Seattle's own policies on de-escalation,” Lindquist said.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office declined to file criminal charges, according to the claim. The attorneys argue that the decision does not determine potential civil liability because criminal and civil cases have different legal standards.
The $30 million claim is not a lawsuit. Filing a claim is a required step before seeking damages in a lawsuit against a government agency in Washington.
According to the attorneys, a lawsuit can be filed after 60 days.
